Hoyer praises Toyota for creating jobs in U.S.

U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (left), the Democratic whip in the House, answers questions during a news conference he and U.S. Rep. Gallego held at Texas A&M University-San Antonio to promote the Make It in America plan for manufacturing incentives.

U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., on Monday held up Toyota's San Antonio pickup plant as a prime example of how the United States can once again become a global leader in manufacturing.

“That is an extraordinary production facility that hires a lot of people and makes a wonderful, wonderful product,” he said, referring to the Japanese automaker's Tundra and Tacoma pickups.

Hoyer, the Democratic whip in the House of Representatives, leads the Make It in America effort that so far has resulted in 10 laws that provide incentives for manufacturers operating in the U.S.

“We're divided as a country,” he said. “We have a lot of issues on which there is deep disagreement and confrontation ... I can go to the most conservative Republican district in America and talk about making it in America, manufacturing in America, competing here and around the world. Every head will nod.”

Many more bills have been filed, including one by Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, who accompanied Hoyer on visits to both the plant, the ground-breaking for which was a decade ago, and the South Side's campus of Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

Gallego's bill would establish grants and assistance for local trade groups that can help small businesses get into the export market.

Make It in America focuses on four priorities, Hoyer said, with the first being developing a national manufacturing strategy.

“Our competitors around the world have a plan,” he said. “America had really almost a monopoly in the '50s and the '60s and the '70s, but that's not the case anymore. We have very able competitors, and we need to have a strategy.”

Other focuses are promoting export of U.S.-made goods, training and certifying workers, and providing incentives for companies to do both manufacturing and research and development in the United States.

“They're not going to make it in America if they're not going to make a profit,” Hoyer said.

The fourth is training and certifying workers, whether on the job or through technical programs.

Gallego said he invited Hoyer to San Antonio so he could see the plant and meet the local workforce.

After the tour, the two hosted a round table at the university with representatives from Toyota, Workforce Solutions Alamo, BBVA Compass, San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, H-E-B and Holt Cat.

“He was able to hear first-hand from the San Antonio business community who has come together to help spur economic recovery and local job growth,” Gallego said.